Pet Product News Editorial Blog:
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Pet Food: The Lifesaver
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An article in the Denver Post this week again brought to my attention the importance of the pet food market for boutiques. Citing figures from the American Pet Products Association, reporter Migoya noted that the organization’s 2009 report showed pet food sales were up 4.5 percent at about $18 billion. By 2013, sales are projected to top $21 billion.
So all you struggling boutique owners might be wise to take a look at your inventory and see if you are focusing enough attention on this category to take advantage of its continuing success despite the economic downturn.
Earlier this week I visited Canis Minor, a gorgeous boutique in Jersey City, N.J. and spoke with Darryl Ng, general manager. Darryl talked about how his shop has weathered the storm and agreed that selling high-end food and a lot of it has been helpful for Canis Minor. Dana Ujobagy from Paw Palace in Red Bank, N.J. told me when I visited her early this year that her main focus was apparel, but when I spoke to her again a few weeks ago, she had refocused to the areas in which her customers were still spending: grooming and food. That’s smart decision-making, in my opinion.
I’ll level with our readers: a lot of boutiques have closed this year. It’s not surprising to find a number disconnected when I call one of our old contacts. Each business has its own challenges, of course, but I think the ones that remain or become flexible will be the ones to survive and thrive.
At Pet Fashion Week, I spoke to a new boutique owner from Boston (his name escapes me) who was very optimistic about the future of his business. We both agreed that starting a business in a recession is a great way to find out how to run a tight ship and also a great way to keep your expectations low. It’s all gravy when the economy picks up and if there’s another dip, you already know how to tighten up again.
For those of you who might be struggling to maintain your current reputations as boutiques for classy apparel, accessories and other “non-essentials” for dogs only, I beg you: don’t hold on so long that you lose your business. Pet owners are practical people with a lot of heart and they won’t judge you for offering a more varied inventory. They might even learn something from the products and knowledge you offer.
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